The Engagement Model is the new assessment for pupils working below the standard of National Curriculum assessments and not engaged in subject-specific study. The DfE published The Engagement Model guidance in January 2020 and this was updated in March 2020. The Model was scheduled to become statutory from September 2020.

Following the disruption caused by coronavirus, the DfE have recognised that many schools may not have had the opportunity to engage with the guidance and training opportunities, and as a result may be less prepared to implement the Engagement Model. Therefore, the DfE has suggested that the 2020-21 academic year will be a transitionary year where schools will have the time to prepare for, and start embedding, The Engagement Model in time for it to become statutory in September 2021.

In order to support this, we are delivering a package of guidance and training that will enable schools to: identify the relevant cohort of pupils; use the engagement areas to observe and assess the level of engagement for individual pupils; and support and evaluate the curriculum for pupils not yet engaged in subject specific learning. This is delivered to the official Standards and Testing Agency approved content.

To support this we have released a short series of videos via Sunningdale School’s You Tube channel where James Waller (Engagement Model Lead Trainer) describes the model and the use of the 5 areas of engagement. They can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-Uchhsbm8ppURBAN-LzXJ5WQejwdk03o

We are following these up with scheduled virtual sessions where James will discuss the model’s use in greater depth and answer any queries you may have. These will take place via the Zoom Meetings virtual meeting platform. We would ask that all those wishing to participate in these sessions watch the videos prior to the virtual training sessions in order to ensure they are familiar with the areas and their uses. All delegates signed up for the sessions will be sent access codes/ links prior to the virtual sessions.

The dates for the follow up sessions  are 4^th November, 18^th November and 2^nd December. All sessions will start at 4pm.

Session 1 4^th November

• Recap of what the Engagement Model is

• Exploring what is meant by the term Engagement and each of the 5 areas.

• Understanding who the Engagement Model is for

• Observation & creating a baseline assessment

• Begin to explore how the Engagement Model links to the 4 areas of need (EHCP)

Session 2: 18^th November

· Implementing the Engagement Model

· Making links between the Engagement Model and the curriculum

· Integrating the Engagement Model into your current assessment system

· Involving other professionals in the assessments

· How the Engagement Model fit will with the 4 areas of need (EHCP)

Session 3: 2^nd December

• Understanding how the information gathered from the Engagement Model feeds into next steps and informs progress

• Reporting progress

• Accountability

• Ofsted

• Policy and Practice